GSI Double Boiler

If are looking to cut weight and space in your pack I would highly recommend the efficient cook set from GSI. This double boiler is so versatile and efficient since it nests, is light and holds both my fuel canister and MSR Pocket Rocket Stove inside it. The kit is made of anodized aluminum which is strong and light. For $29 it is much more cost effective then titanium and practically speaking you are only giving up a few ounces. My kit weighs in at 9 oz for both pieces including the mesh bag that holds it all. The popular Snow Peak Titanium kit is listed as 5.5 ounces and $59. However the Snow Peak kit cup/pot is smaller at 10 oz. and 28 oz. The GSI kit is 17 oz and 34 oz.

The newest version has a couple of small improvements. First they have put some insulating silicon material on the folding handles. The previous kit didn't have this and if you were careless about how you placed the cooker on your stove you could make the handles too hot for comfort. Secondly they have added a lexan lid that can also be used as a bowl.

My favorite meal with this kit is to heat up some instant chicken gravy in the small pot. Once that is ready I boil some water in the large pot while sitting the small pot/cup of gravy on top to keep it warm. The small pot has a lip on the bottom that allows it to fit snugly on top of the large pot without any danger of it slipping off. This also will cause your water to boil faster. Once the water boils in the bottom pot I add my instant potatoes. Potatoes and chicken gravy in a matter of minutes! Yum. If you want a real treat add a small can of chicken chunks to the boiling water for a minute before adding the potatoes. This is probably my all time favorite meal for taste and easy preparation.

The Snow Peak titanium cookset is very popular but for $30 less and 2.4 oz more weight, I would still opt for the GSI set over the Snow Peak. The smaller pot serves well as a drinking cup which means one less thing to pack.